The Reds' top-four hopes took a nosedive with defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal and despite having an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to next weekend they seem likely to miss out on their main aim of retaining Champions League football.

Injury to Sturridge, coupled with the loss of star man Luis Suarez in the summer, contributed to a poor start to the campaign which is now costing them dearly.

WARNING: Sturridge thinks Liverpool will be back with a bang next season [GETTY]

“Next season we will hopefully be able to win the Premier League”

Daniel Sturridge

However, the England international has not given up on a top-four slot just yet and even if they do fall short he has confidence they can up the ante when they start afresh in August.

Sturridge said: "We have, of course, not played as well as we have done in the last season but things change.

"Of course we aim to play well until the end of the season and next season we will hopefully be able to win the Premier League, not just get into the top four.